Ruger rifle-Good Deal or Not

[Ben_hutcherson]

I'm not really a rifle man, but have been thinking for a while that I probably should have a good bolt action of some sort. It will probably never be used for anything but punching paper or water jugs(I'm not a hunter) but none the less I'd like to have one.

This past week, a co-worker mentioned out of the blue that he probably needed to sell his. I told him I was interested, and am thinking that I will probably make a deal with him on it. From everything I've found in my web wanderings, this seems like a good rifle and a good price on it, but I'd appreciate some reassurance.

The gun is a Ruger M77 in 30-06. He bought in new in the late '80s, which from my reading seems to make it the first generation of the same.

I haven't examined it, but he tells me that he shot about 3/4 of a box of ammo through it, cleaned it, and then put it away and hasn't shot it since. It came with what he said was a "nice, name brand" scope, but didn't remember the name.

Those are all the details I have at the moment, although we're supposed to meet up to go to the range to shoot it in the next few weeks. It was offered to me for $500.

Any thoughts on if this is a decent rifle, and more importantly at least a decent deal?

 

[pawncop]

If it has not been abused the Ruger Model 77 series is a solid rifle. $500.00 is not the deal of the century, but you certainly could do worse.

 

[litauer]

Okay rifle at a so-so price but don't hand over your cash until you see how it shoots. Their triggers are mediocre and many came with second-rate barrels. Some actually shoot very well and surprise their owners. Shoot first.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I am not a Ruger fan, in general. I have owned a good number of Ruger rifles and only had three that shot well enough to be keepers. Besides the mediocre triggers and barrels the 77 can be difficult to bed due to the angled action screw.

That said, the most beautiful factory wood I ever had was on a Ruger #1 .22 Hornet. It wouldn't shoot for ****, but it was gorgeous.

The Ruger website has a page with a list of production dates by model and serial number range. You can figure out the DOB of that gun if you wish.

As suggested, shoot it first, check the value of the scope, and best wishes to you. I prefer Remington and CZ rifles, and have had a few Howa's that were impressive.

 

[jkc]

It probably has an awful factory trigger which can be cured at modest expense by replacing the OEM trigger with a drop-in Timney trigger or equivalent, but the wild card is the barrel quality --- M77s of that era were often supplied with indifferent, or worse, barrels, a not inexpensively cured defect. However, a truly high-quality scope suitable for big-game hunting use on an '06 is worth at least the best part of $500, or more --- I'm talking Leupold, or better European glass... The combination might be a bargain, depending on the value of the scope, which can be checked on the gun auction sites, or at Sample List, and etc.

All that said, if you're just looking at this acquisition because it's been conveniently presented to you, I'd give some more thought to how you actually anticipate using the gun --- If you're just going to use it for plinking, target practice, demolishing water jugs and melons, or detonating Tannerite, you may be better served with a .223 bolt gun and suitable scope. Cheaper ammo, lesser recoil, just as much fun at lesser expense ...

 

[Mule Packer]

I have a Ruger M77 .30-06 that was made in 1976. It is definitely one of the most accurate rifles I own. When I first took it out to the range over 30 years ago, I couldn't believe the type of accuracy I was getting with factory ammo. When I went to handloads, the accuracy got even better. Over the years, this gun has taken elk, mule deer, and cous deer.

Let me re-emphasize what has already been said. Get a quality scope. When I bought mine new, it came with a cheap Weaver scope on it. It now sports a Leupold.

Try it out. You could be very pleasantly surprised!

 

[dswancutt]

I have a M77 in 270 that I bought new in 86 or 87. It had a problem that Ruger took care off and has been a accurate that has taken it's fair share of deer.

 

[semperfi71]

I bought my Ruger M77 7mm Magnum in 1979. I glass-bedded the "difficult to bed due to the angled screw action" with Brownells Acraglass. Then I floated all of the barrel except the tip which I applied a slight bit of forearm pressure.

Never had to alter the factory trigger, I thought is was good enough.

With IMR7828 and the Nosler 175 grain bullet I could get 1 inch 3 shot groups at 100 yards.

I had the bolt checkered and used this rifle for many years for elk and deer. I sold it when the barrel leade was starting to fail due to lots of bullets and powder.

Asking to shoot a rifle to see if it is "accurate" is frought with some "anomalies" (if that's the right word). An excellent rifle may only need proper bedding. But if not properly bedded it may not shoot well at all. Also it might require a specific factory load or bullet weight. If it's handloads, who knows what load is going to be the best?

I once had a Mauser Mark X in .30-06 which I rebedded and floated the barrel. It shot a wide variety of bullets as well as a shotgun would pattern. But...the Speer 200 grain Grand Slam would group under 1 inch for 3 shots at 100 yards.

The price being asked for the M77 is not bad. If the scope is a Redfield, Leupold, or early Weaver its a better deal. If it is a "Zeiss" you have struck gold!! If it has the tang safety and thin red butt pad its the early model.

 

[Ben_hutcherson]

I appreciate all of the feedback. The seller is is insisting that I shoot it, even if I'm not interested in buying it so I'll definitely check on that.

It sounds like the price is such that if I were to not like it in the long term, I could at least get my money back out of it.

I should also say that part of my motivation for buying this particular one is that the seller(a co-worker, as I've said) needs the money from the sale to help pay some medical bills. I'm also drawn to the 30-06 since at least lately it seems to be one of the few calibers I can consistently find on the shelf.

I'm suppose to get details on the scope within the next day or so, and I'll report back. He told me that he bought the combo new in the late 1980s, and paid about $800 for it at the time.

 

[HotRoderX]

Depending on how good a friend is never forget prices are never set in stone. In fact a lot of people will ask a little more then they want so they have some room for dickering on the final price.

Example.

I set my price at 500 I want 450 you say 425 I say I meet you in the middle at 475 you say 450 I say ok. I got what I wanted and you feel you made a deal and got what you wanted. This is just something to keep in mind I dont think 99.9% of people have a issue with it. In fact its half the fun in my book.

 

[sourdough44]

The scope could add a fair amount to the value too. 'Name brand' could be Tasco or Leupold, you'll find out soon.

 

[OFT II]

I've had two 77s, both with old style tang safety. One was a 30/06 with decent trigger and was a good shooter. I gave it to my son who still uses it. The other is in 7mm/08 with a perfect trigger and will shoot MOA if I do my part. Can't say anything about the newer models though.

 

[ACP230]

I have had a Ruger 77RL in .250 Savage for many years. Has the tang
safety. No issues with the stock trigger for me.

It's the most accurate centerfire rifle I have for three shots.
After that the thin barrel heats and the group expands.
Have never fired more than two shots with it at a deer so that doesn't
bother me.

I would like to pay a bit less than $500, even today. But I would
look at an M77 at that price.

 

[H Richard]

While the Ruger Rifle may be pretty good, and the price may be not too bad, if you're not a hunter, I would skip it based on the caliber. A 30-06 is not casual paper puncher. Cost and recoil. If you want a rifle for these uses, get a smaller caliber, there are many to choose from, and you can find used ones at similar prices. Unless you want to buy his and use it as trading material for one that fits your uses better.

 

[Lost Lake]

About three years ago I bought my 11 year old daughter a Ruger 77 Hawkeye. I didn't want to spend a lot but I wanted a decent rifle. It has beautiful wood and a great trigger. I paid something like $420 for it.

I load my .243 rounds and after a few sight-in shots with an older Bushnell on top of it I settled down to see how the gun would shoot. This is a left handed gun so maybe they get special attention, but I was pretty shocked to not see the second shot on the paper after I pulled the trigger. Thinking I had a flyer I sent another round downrange. I was 100 yards from the target. Still I saw nothing. I went to check it out and found out there were three shots, but really just one hole. I sent three more rounds at that target before I became too worried I would screw this perfect target up.

In the end the six rounds made a hole less than 1/2" at 100 yards. This is just resting on a couple of sandbags.

Since that day I have bought 5 more Ruger rifles....

 

[feralmerril]

I have one in 7X57 I bought new many years ago. It is a early model with the tang safety. While I dont have a lot of experiance shooting it, what I have had was very favorable. My trigger is good enough for me and the rifle is a better shooter than I am. I am not up on what they are selling for now.
I love that caliber as it is low recoil, flat shooting and accurate. But I reload for everything. Or at least used to.

 

[Big Fred]

My only experience with a Ruger 77. I bought one new in the late 70's, a 7 mm mag. Mounted a 3x9 VX2 Leupold in Redfield mounts. Bought dies, brass, ect. I tried many different loads, bullest, ect. I had it professionally bedded. The best it would do was 5 rounds on an 8 inch paper plate at a 100 yds.

I pulled the Leupold and put a Remington 700 under it and had a 1 inch and better rifle at a 100 Yards.

I do like Ruger and think they make good products, but I had a stinker.

Added: I agree with H Richard, if all you want is a plinker, paper puncher get something cheaper to shoot and softer on the shoulder. Example, I just bought a Savage mdl. 11 package that has a mounted Nikon 3x9 BDC and accutrigger chambered in .223. Local LGS had them on sale for $444.95.
I thought this would make an excellent 4 wheeler groundhog rifle, don't have to worry about marking up one of my "nice" rifles.

 

[mc5aw]

I'd pass. 30.06 is a hunter's round, not a paper puncher's round. $500 buys a nice used alternative, anything from a mint SKS in 7.62x39 to a quality .308 bolt gun, or even pistol caliber lever gun. The options are far more practical, and money better spent.

 

[Texas Star]

IF this "name brand" scope is a good one, the price is reasonable. Remember, you aren't buying just the rifle.

Does it have a decent case and a sling in the deal?

I like the .30/06, but it is true that this is a hunting rifle. That's what it's made for.

The M-77 was introduced in 1968, and inspired other makers to return to a more classic stock design.

For years, Ruger contracted out barrel making, and some barrels shot pooly. Now, they make their own barrels and the rifles shoot well. But I don't know when the change occurred. Ask on one of the Ruger boards.

 

[2152hq]

The 77 has to be one of the best looking factory stocks on a rifle.
I think they had Len Brownell make the stock pattern up. Definetly a classic style.

You can get a bad one in anything,,but a chance to shoot it first is a big plus. That offer doesn't come around often.

30-06 caliber is just fine for anything you want to do.
If you reload, you can make anything from 25 and 50yrd plinker loads using RedDot & Bullseye and go up from there.
No shortage of selection of components,,there may be a shortage on the shelves for right now but that goes for everything.

Check the 'scope make as already said. May be worth 1/2 the asking price or more. Might be worth $40 too.

With all that said, if you're 'not a rifle guy' and will just end up storing it in the closet for 30yrs like the current owner after shooting the rest of the box of ammo that he left for you, maybe reconsider the purchase.

There's not much we really need,,there are things we can really make use of though.